News from Southern Africa (February 2010)

INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN: The Minister of Energy, Dipou Peters, has published the Integrated Resource Plan for energy. However, WWF-SA believes the plan has failed to take into account the most recent developments at Eskom (i.e. Eskom’s proposed increase tariff application and Eskom’s announcement that construction at Kusile has been postponed). See: http://www.fin24.com

CARBON FOOTPRINT: It is estimated that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will produce approximately 2 753 250 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Econ Pöyry, a Norwegian consultancy and engineering firm, has produced a feasibility study for a carbon-neutral World Cup. The report notes that while proposed greening measures and environmental standards can reduce the footprint, they will only affect the smaller components of it (i.e. intercity transport, intracity transport, stadium construction and materials, energy use in stadiums and in accommodation facilities). See: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za

EMISSION TAX: National Treasury will introduce a new tax, adjusting the existing ad valorem excise duty on motor vehicles, which will come into effect in March 2010. The tax is part of government’s efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase tax revenues which declined sharply during the recession. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (NAAMSA) has accepted the new tax in principle but noted that its early timing could hinder recovery prospects for struggling automakers. See: http://communities.thomsonreuters.com

CDM PROJECT: The second component of eThekwini’s landfill gas to electricity Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project was launched by the Energy Minister, Dipuo Peters on 28 January 2010. The second component involves the extraction of landfill gas at the Bisasar Road landfill site through extraction wells and interlinking pipe work. See: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za

CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY: The Department of Environmental Affairs announced that it will aim to complete the country’s national climate change white paper by the end of 2010, with a green paper to be completed by the middle of 2010. See: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za

IRENA: President Jacob Zuma has given Energy Minister, Dipuo Peters, authorisation for South Africa to join the International Renewable Energy National Agency (IRENA) and to participate as a full member. See: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za

OUTCOMES OF COP15, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, DECEMBER 2009: Water and Environmental Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, met with ministers from Brazil, India and China to discuss pledges for action against climate change. the “BASIC” (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries played a crucial role during climate change talks in Copenhagen last year . See: http://www.miningweekly.com

3RD PREPARATORY COMMISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY (IRENA): took place on 17 January 2010 in Abu Dhabi. Parties met to discuss IRENAs work programme and budget for 2010. See: http://climate-l.org

ENERGY INDABA 2010: A TIME OF CHANGE: will be held from 24-26 February 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre. It is an annual event on the African business calendar with a specific focus on exploring solutions for a new energy future for Africa. For more information on the event please see: www.energyafricaexpo.com or send an email to info@siyenza.za.com

EARTH HOUR 2010: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has called on South African’s to switch off their lights on 27 March 2010 from 20:30 – 21:30. Earth Hour will be officially launched on 15 February 2010. See: www.wwf.org.za